LOCALISM

What is LOCALISM? 

In December 2010, Eric Pickles ( @EricPickles ), Minister for Communities and Local Government heralded the new Localism Act:

Localism Bill starts a new era of people power

"The Localism Bill will put an end to the hoarding of power within central government and top-down control of communities, allowing local people the freedom to run their lives and neighbourhoods in their own way.

"The Bill, laid before Parliament today, contains a radical package of reforms that will devolve greater power and freedoms to councils and neighbourhoods, establish powerful new rights for communities, revolutionise the planning system, and give communities control over housing decisions."

Well, Eric, 

it's not working in Whitmore and BALDWINS GATE!

Our parish is a lovely place to be born, to grow up, to live and to retire. 

A survey was conducted to which 85% of villagers contributed to develop our Parish Plan. It covered all aspects of life in the village including HOUSING and BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS. This plan was adopted as part of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's planning strategy and as "an extension to the Newcastle under Lyme Local Plan 2011, it is a material consideration in determining planning applications and appeals".

Here are some of the contents:

Housing and Development

There was a considerable amount of support for minor expansion within existing communities, with strong opposition to any new developments. Any developments should be restricted to minor housing expansion with some support for one-at-a-time infill. There was a strong feeling that the status of the Green Belt should not be changed. Existing traffic problems were one of the main reasons given for not wanting any more housing developments.

There was no support for new major housing developments within the parish

The question was asked as to what type of new build would be acceptable; there was a appreciable support for new houses or bungalows to meet the needs of an ageing population. A number of large houses were occupied by people living on their own. These people wanted to remain in the village, but in smaller properties. This in turn would free up some of the larger family properties.

There was a considerable support for houses with "local residents" restrictions including houses for younger and retired people.

As a LOCAL COMMUNITY, WE have decided WHAT TYPE of housing we want, and WHERE we want it. So, Eric, if you believe so much in Localism, why should we be forced to accept a housing development that will increase the size of our village by over one third, that contains NO provision for local young people and little for the elderly, that damages our environment, that builds on prime farming land?

The only thing that can force this through is the "presumption in favour of approval" with which councils are being forced to view planning applications.

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL POLITICAL CAMPAIGN THAT THIS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT IS RUNNING IS THE ONE BY ERIC PICKLES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NEVER EVER RE-ELECTED.

All over Britain, there are millions of EX-Conservative voters waiting to cast their ballot.

Find out more about our SAVE OUR VILLAGE campaign at : www.Gateway-net.co.uk